What Are the Side Effects of Nexplanon?
Discover the capability side effects of Nexplanon with our comprehensive manual. From commonplace reactions to rare occurrences, find out about the nuances of this contraceptive implant. Make knowledgeable selections about your health and nicely-being. Explore our unique insights on the side effects of Nexplanon now.
You may be familiar with the implant, a long-acting and highly effective method of birth control. A birth control implant called Nexplanon (etonogestrel) can delay conception for up to three years. To be inserted into your upper arm, a brief office visit with your healthcare physician is necessary. Furthermore, it is the most reliable method of birth control once implanted, preventing conception over 99% of the time. Its effectiveness surpasses that of any other product available in the market, such as birth control pills, patches, or needles.
As with other drugs, adverse effects are possible. Nexplanon is not an anomaly either. We’ll talk about a few of side effects of Nexplanon here.
Describe the side effects of Nexplanon.
A birth control implant called Nexplanon is inserted under your upper arm. When positioned appropriately, its failure rate is less than 0.1%. A visit to a medical professional is necessary for the placement of the Nexplanon implant. Your healthcare practitioner will inject Nexplanon just under the skin on the inside side of your arm during a brief in-office procedure. After that, it is permanent for a maximum of 3 years.
How does birth control work with it?
Etonogestrel is a hormone that Nexplanon releases gradually. Progestin is a synthetic form of the sex hormone progesterone, such as etonogestrel. There are several methods in which the Nexplanon implant avoids pregnancy by gradually releasing etonogestrel:
It thins the uterine lining. Therefore, an egg would struggle to implant in the uterus even if it were fertilized by sperm.
Typical side effects of Nexplanon
Each person responds to hormone drugs differently, thus each person may have various side effects. The majority of negative effects improve or disappear within a few months of having Nexplanon inserted. However, not everyone may see an improvement in side effects. Inform your healthcare professional if side effects are too troublesome for you.
Mild side effects of Nexplanon
A short list of side effects of Nexplanon is shown below. See the prescription material for Nexplanon or speak with your doctor or pharmacist to find out about more minor side effects.
Mild side effects of Nexplanon may include:
- vaginal infection, or vaginitis
- chest ache
- stomach ache
- headache and sore throat
- sick stomach
- ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs on the ovary’s surface
- bruises
- itching
- weight gain
- period bleeding
- abnormalities
- acne
- mood swings, and moderate allergic reactions
The majority of these adverse effects could disappear in a few days or weeks. But consult your physician or pharmacist if they intensify or don’t go away.
Gaining weight
While using Nexplanon, some people may notice a rise in body weight. One of the most frequent adverse effects of Nexplanon in clinical studies was weight gain.
After a year of usage, participants in trials utilizing Nexplanon gained around 2.8 pounds (lb). After two years, they put on around 3.7 pounds. It is unknown, though, how much of this weight increase was especially brought on by the Nexplanon implants.
Spots and variations in menstrual flow
The usage of Nexplanon may result in alterations to menstrual flow, such as spotting. This was a typical adverse effect that Nexplanon clinical studies documented.
In fact, you could notice changes in your menstrual flow immediately after your doctor implants Nexplnon, including:
- Spotting
- bleeding more frequently than usual
- bleeding less frequently than usual or not at all experiencing a period of increased or decreased intensity
- lasting longer or less time
Acne
During clinical studies, a frequent adverse effect of Nexplanon was acne. The medication alters hormone levels, which may contribute to acne. As a result, Nexplanon may make acne more likely to occur.
Depression and other emotional shifts
The usage of Nexplanon may result in depression or other mood disorders, sometimes referred to as “mood swings.” Clinical trials did not frequently identify mood swings or depression as side effects. Even so, it’s crucial that you understand the possibility of these adverse effects before beginning Nexplanon treatment.
The following are some signs of depression or other mood disorders to be aware of:
- depressed or sad
- Anxiety
- nervousness
- sleeping more or less often than usual losing interest in past hobbies
ALLERGIC RESPONSE
Following a Nexplanon implant, some patients may experience an adverse response, as is the case with most medications.
The following are possible signs of a mild allergic reaction:
- skin rash
- burning
- itching
- Although uncommon, a more severe allergic response is possible. Severe allergic response symptoms might include:
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat difficulty breathing edema beneath your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
Serious Nexplanon side effects
Specialized training is required for healthcare personnel to properly inject and remove Nexplanon. Thus, placement-related problems are uncommon. However, get in touch with your healthcare practitioner as soon as possible if, after the implant is put, you discover that you can’t feel it where it usually is.
Rarely, Nexplanon may come out of its insertion site. If the device is placed in the arm too deeply, this may occur more frequently. Your chance of becoming pregnant increases when you move Nexplanon. It may also result in bleeding and discomfort.
Unwanted pregnancy
This is a pregnancy that is developing extrauterina ally. It may endanger your life. Unusual vaginal bleeding or abdominal discomfort are two indicators of an ectopic pregnancy.
Cardiac clots:
This comprises thromboses in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism). Breathing difficulties or chest discomfort may be indicators of a blood clot in the lung. Leg discomfort or edema might be indicators of a blood clot in the leg.
Seizures and heart attacks:
The frequency of heart attacks or strokes while using Nexplanon is unknown. It is possible that they will grow together. However, if you take a birth control method that combines an oestrogen and a progestin, these occurrences can happen more frequently.
Cysts On the ovaries
Although they usually go away on their own, a healthcare professional should nonetheless keep an eye on them. Pain in the abdomen is a symptom of ovarian cysts. However, some people have zero symptoms.
Liver injury:
Rarely, Nexplanon may result in liver damage. The implant may exacerbate liver disease if you already have it. Yellowing of the skin or eyes is one indicator of liver disease (jaundice).
Cancer of the breast:
Nexplanon may make breast cancer more likely to occur or exacerbate pre-existing breast cancer. If you have any of these problems, you should not take Nexplanon because certain breast tumours are hormone-sensitive.
What steps can I take to control Nexplanon side effects?
After receiving Nexplanon, waiting a few months might sometimes help with side effects. For typical side effects including headaches and acne outbreaks, over-the-counter (OTC) solutions can be utilized if you prefer the convenience of Nexplanon and don’t want it removed.
Conclusion
There are several typical adverse effects of nexplanon. One of the most typical adverse effects of Nexplanon is irregular menstruation. Additionally, it’s the main justification for having a Nexplanon implant removed. Acne, weight gain, and headaches are possible side effects. The majority of frequent side effects go better after a few months.
In most cases, serious issues do not arise. But get in touch with your doctor straight away if you find that your Nexplanon has moved or if you are experiencing signs of a major side effect. If you have any questions concerning your birth control, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor or pharmacist.